SQE

Hello!! I am having trouble deciding which route to go down. I will be graduating this year with a degree in Scots law but I know I want to practice down in London eventually. Everyone I know is applying for the Scottish Diploma in Legal Practice but I am now questioning whether I should apply for the SQE preparation course?? I have not applied for any internships or training contracts as I have been so unsure and each course option ends up being similar costs and length? I am so undecided, Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you - also another question, how long does it take to complete SQE 1 + 2?!

I'm sitting SQE2 in October. I have found a few good (paid) resources for revision notes, but I'm struggling to find many practice papers outside of a course. I'm self-funding so would rather save the money if I can. Does anyone have any practice resources they'd recommend please?

Revise4Law (paid) - Recommended by a colleague. They go into plenty of detail which is helpful, but they're not SQE2 specific and practice questions are for SQE1.

SQE2 Student Notes (paid) - Found on Reddit. These were written by an SQE2 student so the notes are more tailored to the assessment which is helpful, and also not a scary length!

For practice papers, the SRA have changed their sample papers to include one Sample Answer instead of two which had a stronger and more marginal pass. My friend who sat SQE2 last year had downloaded the old PDFs and so I've attached them to this post. Sample Bs are super nice for confidence and self-esteem!

Could someone currently studying the LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2 and SQE Plus) please let me know what the weekly course demands are? i.e. how many lectures per week, how many days are these lectures spread across, weekly hours etc. I'd also be interested to know course end dates, I am due to start in September but I cannot find any exact course dates on the ULaw website.

Any other insights appreciated also!

Thanks

I sat the SQE2 in January of this year and comparing my experience to others in my cohort, the assessment centre can make a big difference to your experience.

I sat the assessments in London.
My written exams were in ITTS - Aldgate East
My oral exams were in - Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) [30 Euston Square]

I had a really good experience at both venues. Not to scare anyone but the computers can act up sometimes for the written assessments and the staff at Aldgate East (both the invigilators and IT) knew what they were doing and were quick to resolve any issues.

(N.B: No matter what weird IT bug occurs, don't panic because it can be fixed and they will add extra time to your test, just do not click "Next Question" whatever you do because once you go to the next question, there's absolutely no going back. You will be asked several times to confirm if you want to go to the Next Question so you can't do it by accident, but do not do it even if the invigilator/IT tell you to do it).

I heard from someone taking the exams that the Aldgate East test centre is the highest rated for SQE2 written and the oral venue was excellent as well, again well run and a nice place to be for the day. Thought it would be helpful to have a thread for people to recommend/warn against test centres!

Hi all,

Recent news about firms revoking TCs for failing the SQE1 has given me quite a lot of jitters. My offer letter also stipulates that my TC offer is conditional upon passing the SQE on first attempt, so failing really isn't an option for me and I want to give myself my best shot at getting this right.

I am due to start the LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) prep course at ULaw London Moorgate in September 2024. Was wondering if anyone here could shed some light on how best to prepare ahead of the course start date? If there is realistically nothing I can do ahead of the course starting, for those who have finished the SQE1, is there anything you wish you had known earlier when you first started the course that would have made the exams less painful?

Just for some context, I did a 3-year undergrad law degree, graduated in summer 2023.

I am recent graduate of a Russell group university, scoring with a 2.1. I have taken a brief break and I am currently working in a different industry but I plan on starting the SQE in September or around that time frame. Unfortunately, I have not been successful with applications, nor would I be able to self fund the entire SQE1 and SQE2. Thus, it brings me to my current dilemma of figuring out where to complete the SQE alongside a masters. I know from the pandemic that I do not respond particularly well to online learning and much prefer in person teaching, although I am not afraid of a combination as long as online learning is not the majority. So far I have looked into the University of Law and the College of Legal Practice.

Could anyone recommend providers that they have had a positive experience with? And if there were negatives, what were they?

I was part of the final cohort to do the traditional GDL course. I understand we now have a grace period until 2032 to complete the LPC if we're able to secure a TC at a firm who allows the GDL-LPC route.
However, the firms I'm interested in all require the SQE route. So:

1. Will I need to take any preparation courses to pass the SQE1, or simply revise the old material and look for exam technique help?
2. What's the schedule for the SQE1 exams? When do I need to apply, and when are the actual exams?

Does anyone know if law firms allow you to take a gap between your SQE and Training Contract (to do an LLM for example)

Hi all,

Is anyone currently doing/have done the LLM (SQE1+SQE2) course at either Ulaw or BPP (in London)?

Looking to start the course this year and would appreciate some advice/insight.

Thank you.

For those who hold an LLB in law from outside the UK, did you pass the SQE1 Exam without completing the PGDL? I know it is not a legal requirement to do the PGDL, but for graduates outside the UK, will you be able to pass SQE1 if you didn't study UK laws (criminal, property, etc.)? I would appreciate it if you could share your experience..

Hello I’m planning on enrolling to either Barbri or QLTS for their SQE prep course, intending to sit the July 2024 exam for SQE1.

I work full time but I’m certain I can cram in 20 hours of studying over the course of the week. However, I just wanted some input from people about their experiences with Barbri and QLTS and which they would recommend.

The main reason I’m attracted by Barbri is (a) the personal tutor and (b) the personalised study plan. Given that I work full time, I need help planning and organising how/when I study. I do have Barbri textbooks for SQE1 and 2 but these are from 2022.

The only reason I’d go with QLTS is their mock exams as I’ve heard that they’re closer to the actual tests than Barbri’s mocks.

I’d love to hear from everyone about their experiences with Barbri and QLTS and which they would recommend, given my circumstances

I have changed provider from BPP to COLP due to a couple of reasons.

Wanted to know if anyone has any experience with COLP or have enrolled to study from next month.

Hi this September 2024 I'm due to start the SQE at BPP as part of the City Consortium Program. Does any one have any information on what the term dates (start date, holidays etc) are for 2024, or what they were for 2023? Trying to plan ahead! Thanks in advance.

Has anyone here taken the SQE 2 exams or planning to take them in 2024? I’m taking the Barbri prep course and planning to sit in April/ May. So far, I’ve made my own SQE 1 knowledge notes to fit the format of the SQE 2 exams.

Hi all

as you can see from my account I am relatively new here, although I have browsed this forum many times before.

for a number of reasons, I have decided to sit SQE1 independently, with only Revise SQE materials. I did use Bridgitte's Notes but unfortunately found multiple spelling errors / other inaccuracies that dented my confidence in the materials.

I have tailored my revision to the specification found on the SRA website, and although I would say the Revise SQE materials are mostly helpful, I have noticed the odd error and in some instances I have used the internet to find more information, for example specific sections on the Companies Act 2006.

FLK1 and FLK2 are now not long away at all and I'm really worried I haven't prepared properly. I have spent lots of time going over the specific sections within the CA 2006, and other legislation, to get the precise sub-sections to incorporate into my notes. However, I am unsure if I am going into too much detail here? And because I have spent lots of time doing that I am worried I have neglected other topics. The amount of stuff we need to know is overwhelming me.

so my questions are:

1. do we need to know specific sections / sub-sections of legislation like CA 2006? I have spent a very long time crafting a perfect procedure plan for incorporating a company from scratch, directors duties, loans to directors for example - and I am worried that actually the sections are not required knowledge (rather, just the steps). Given I have effectively a week left until the exams, I'd like to know if I can abandon trying to recall the sections etc and just focus on the actual law itself in outline.

2. as I am self-studying I have relied on the specification. however I am worried that it is overly vague and much of the terminology is vacuous and so open-ended. For example, "company decision-making and meetings: procedural, disclosure and approval requirements" to me is pretty vague - going back to point 1, I have no idea if they expect us to know the sections verbatim, or generally how much detail they expect us to go into. Any clarification re the specification would be much appreciated - can anyone tell me what the course providers' specifications/learning guides say? do they provide any clarification or do they just revert back to the specification?

To anyone who replies, I cannot thank you enough for your assistance. good luck to all sitting shortly.

Hey everyone, I recently sat the SQE 1 exams and got high 70s in them. I had a course provider but mainly used other resources to help with revision and practice. I hope they can help, especially for those sitting in January 2024.


Question Banks

- https://britishlawacademy.com/?p=1545 (Free)

- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Revise-SQE-FLK1-Practice-Assessment-ebook/dp/B0C7YJFRTT (Paid)

- https://www.qlts.co.uk/resources/sqe-sample-material/ (Free)

- https://global.oup.com/ukhe/lawresources/SQE/SQEI/?cc=gb&lang=en& (Paid)




Revision Guides

- https://www.brigittesnotes.com/sqe-notes (Free)

- https://revise4law.co.uk/ (Paid)

- https://wearedevilsadvocate.com/ (Paid)

Hi all,
Really looking for any insight from people who have / are sitting the SQE1. I am currently at BPP, and have found that their notes are GDL/LPC rehashes and that their MCQs are too easy (even compared to their own mocks). Has anyone got any recommendations for resources that they used, or any revision techniques or strategies? So much is behind pay-walls and I am just desperate to make a most of these final weeks before the exam. Would really appreciate any help.

Hi. So I have defaulted on two payments (one on a student overdraft account and one on a phone contract). It has been a couple of years and I am currently in the process of settling these two defaults. They are both on my credit report and I have a low credit score. How will this effect my chances of meeting the SRA's character and suitability?

Hi everyone, Erin here! How are you finding the beginning of this new cycle?

I'm jumping in the forum today to talk directly to our international applicants.

With the 2023/24 cycle now underway, I want to remind you that we understand the extra pressures that come along with being an international applicant.

You face visa restrictions, limited access to vacation schemes, and I know being outside of the 'London bubble' can make this training contract journey feel even harder.

You may be feeling isolated. You may feel like no one around you understands what you're going through. You may have nowhere to turn to for help.

Please know that we are here, we care, and we want to do everything we can to make this process as stress free as possible for you.​

If you're planning to go down the SQE route, but you aren't sure how this would work for you as an international applicant, let us put your mind at ease.

'The SQE for International Applicants'​

with​

The College of Legal Practice​

-​

26 September 2023 at 6pm.​

Feeling a little lost when it comes to the SQE? You're not alone! In this live webinar, we will be joined by @College of Legal Practice team to discuss:

️ What the SQE means for you as an international applicant;

️ Visa requirements and qualifying work experience; and

️ Discuss successful case studies from international applicants.

This is completely free and open to everyone, all you need to do is register for the session here.​

Come along and ask any questions that you may have around the SQE in a supportive environment.

Have questions in the meantime? Feel free to post them in response to this thread!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Erin

Hi guys,

I hope you are all well.

I am currently doing the preparation for SQE 2 and in real need of a buddy to practice the oral skills. Preferably you are a Barbri SQE 2 prep student as well.

We can parctice advocacy and client interviewing together.

DM me if sounds good to you.

Thanks.

Hi I’ve come across a few revision guides/notes for the SQE 1 - namely being:

- Revise SQE
- Law Answered SQE notes
- Brigitte Notes

And I was wondering what people recommended/have had the best experience with or if there’s any other ones I haven’t mentioned that people recommend.

Many thanks

Hello

I am sitting the SQE this year and honestly I am very confused about the extent of the black letter law we need to know. I understand we don’t need to know cases or statutes unless they are underpinned by principles (like ryland v fletcher), but I still am unsure of how much we need to know.

my provider has provided slides, but they don’t seem very streamlined or ‘SQE adjacent’ to me. They still contain a lot of case descriptions, and they go into a lot of detail. For example there is around 500 pages of slides for land law.

In what detail do we need to know all of these? Is it the bare principles, or is it the ‘this is the formalities on how you create an easement’.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi,

So I have a TC with a consortium firm and therefore I will be doing the CCP at BPP.
I'm about to start the law conversion course at BPP in September, but I don't understand the difference between LCC (Diploma), LCC (Masters) and LCC (SQE Masters). In fact, I don't even understand which one I'm enrolled in as a Consortium student. Can anyone help?

Also, does anyone know if one gets a Masters for doing the CCP?

Thank in advance!!

Hi everyone

I thought I'd set up a thread that might be helpful for anyone studying the SQE1 soon. For anyone who has done the SQE1, I'd be grateful if you could provide insight as to your strategy for studying as there is a lot of information to cover.

General questions:
1. I know a lot of people have used flashcards, but this doesn't work for people who are visual learners. If you are a visual learner what did you use?
2. When did you make time to study the core black letter law modules (i.e. contract, tort, land law, etc), especially if you are on a prep course and need to spend time on the pre-reading and workshops?
3. How good are the ULaw books (they seem to be too in-depth)?
4. How did you stay motivated, especially trying to cover all 14 modules?
5. Any tips on creating a study planner (sadly, my prep course provider doesn't provide one)?
6. Specifically for anyone who has studied with BPP - i'm struggling with their slides, feel like some sub-topics are missing info and other sub-topics are going too in-depth. Please let me know your thoughts (maybe i'm just overthinking it).

Thank you in advance (anyone else who has any questions, please feel free to add yours) x

Hi,
I did not convert one Vacation Scheme and am waiting to hear back from another. If I was to self-fund the SQE, I wondered whether the advice would be to do the SQE1 and SQE2 preparation course, or the LLM Legal practice course which includes the additional preparation for practice modules? Do firms tend to have a preference?